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A Zentangle Workshop With Mom

My very own mama, Margaret Bremner, is a zentangle teacher and artist (her work was recently used as cover art for a poetry collection, for example). Here’s an example of one of her zentangle “tiles” (originally posted here):

A zentangle by Margaret Bremner

A few days ago, I took the plunge… into my mom’s world… of meticulous detail.

My parents came for a visit, and their visit overlapped with a study circle of folks that we host every week. My husband and I co-facilitiate the study group, and we are always looking for innovate ways to incorporate the arts (a little more on that in this post). So we invited her to lead a zentangle workshop, and she graciously accepted.

As I understand it, zentangle is all about detail and pattern. It’s also about finding the creativity and the artist in everyone; everyone can participate, for there is no technique too indimidating to master, and everyone will produce something in one session (because the tiles are of a manageable size). It’s also about getting into “the zone”, or reaching a cathartic or meditative state. And let me tell you, this art form is spreading like wildfire.

Mom has blogged about our session and posted a group photo (check it out), and here are two zentangles produced by our group (first attempts at this art form by yours truly and husband):

"Out of the Depths" by Chloë Filson & "There's Cellz on the Floorz" by Robin Wilson

If there is a zentangle teacher in your area, and you want to go from Busy Person to Artist in a matter of two hours, then I highly recommend getting in touch. If that teacher is anything like my mom, he or she will be kindly, accommodating, encouraging, and passionate about both the process and the product. Maybe you can get a few friends together for a session. Rates are usually reasonable and have much to do with providing high-quality materials to the participants. I think you’ll find it worthwhile. MOM’S THANG PLUG: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. But for real, do it.

Thanks for the workshop, mom. And happy (belated-by-one-day) Mother’s Day!